RBK to award 3% uplift to the VCSE organisations it funds following a meeting with the VCSE Sector Leaders  

 

Kingston Voluntary Action is delighted to announce that, despite their own huge financial difficulties, RBK has recently committed to offering a budgetary uplift for 2025/26 to all commissioned Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations in the borough. 

VCSE sector organisations in receipt of funding from RBK will see an uplift of 3%.  This includes contracts with elements of statutory functions and prevention, whilst those that provide services meeting statutory Care Act duties directly, as part of people’s care plans (for example those organisations commissioned through Day Opportunities and Meaningful Occupations Framework), will be notified imminently by Adult Social Care as per usual process. This will take into account current pressures and existing contractual provisions. 

The decision by RBK was made following the letter sent by the VCSE CEO Network (signed by 27 VCSE Leaders) in January 2025. In the letter we explained that the sector, which has been facing unprecedented financial pressures and no uplifts for many years, has now also been hit by the Chancellor’s decision to increase Employer’s National Contributions. RBK invited KVA and the VCSE CEO Network representatives for a meeting at the Guildhall on 4 March at which the good news was announced.  

At the meeting, RBK also made it clear that ‘future years will be budget dependent and will require consideration of new ways of working for local authority, health and the VCSE sector.’  

The sector is open and enthusiastic about considering any new ways of collaborating with our public sector partners and each other, from benefiting from shared spaces, or back-office services, to apprenticeships or social value delivery by local contractors.  

Whilst we are grateful for the uplift this year and look forward to developing practical strategies for facing the future together, we will remain committed to actively addressing the future sustainability of the sector in light of the pressures of continuing inflation and increasing need.